Anger as Jeremy Corbyn links foreign policy to UK terror attacks

Jeremy Corbyn has faced a barrage of criticism after he used the resumption of campaigning in the wake of the Manchester bombing to blame UK foreign policy for terror attacks.

The Labour leader argued the "war on terror" was not working and pledged a government led by him would take a different approach "that fights rather than fuels terrorism".

Mr Corbyn stressed the link between foreign policy and terrorism could not "remotely excuse" the actions of terrorists such as Manchester suicide bomber Salman Abedi.

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However, his comments so soon after Monday's atrocity have sparked an angry response from opponents and some members of his own party.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson called the remarks "absolutely monstrous", while Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon told Sky News the speech was "ill-judged".

Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron accused Mr Corbyn of trying to use the "grotesque act to make a political point", while Labour veteran Mike Gapes, a former chairman of the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, said Islamic State terrorists "hate us for what we are", not "for what we do".

Mr Corbyn did not answer questions following his carefully worded speech in which he said that troops deployed on the streets following the Manchester attack was a "stark reminder" that the "war on terror" was failing.

He said: "Many experts, including professionals in our intelligence and security services, have pointed to the connections between wars our government has supported or fought in other countries and terrorism here at home.

"That assessment in no way reduces the guilt of those who attack our children. Those terrorists will forever be reviled and held to account for their actions.

"But an informed understanding of the causes of terrorism is an essential part of an effective response that will protect the security of our people that fights rather than fuels terrorism."

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Mr Corbyn, who opposed Britain's military involvement in wars in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as airstrikes against terrorist targets in Syria, said Labour would "change what we do abroad" if it won power.

In an apparent response to the criticism he has faced over his speech, Mr Corbyn said the arguments should be heard "without impugning anyone's patriotism".

Mr Johnson said the Labour leader's position was "absolutely extraordinary and inexplicable in this week of all weeks that there should be any attempt to justify or to legitimate the actions of terrorists in this way".

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Sir Michael told Sky News the "ill-judged" speech had "implied that this attack might be our fault, might be Britain's fault, might be the fault of our foreign policy".

"This attack was clearly planned and carried out by a terrorist, it was the terrorist's fault and we shouldn't get away from that," Sir Michael said.

"We should remember that at every stage of his political career, Jeremy Corbyn has been soft on terrorism. He has voted against terrorism legislation, he has even said the RAF shouldn't be prepared to strike terrorist targets in Iraq or Syria."

:: Sky is hosting the first live studio audience Q&A of the election with Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn. Watch Sky News: The Battle For Number 10 this Bank Holiday Monday at 8.30pm.